"Anyone serious about sustainable design, professional or student, should buy this book. Delightful drawings and a wealth of information, from maps of the prevailing winds in different parts of the UK, to detailed design guidance for different bird species. All are presented in a clear and well-organised hierarchy, which makes the book easy to dip into and a very useful reference. Although the Pocketbook's main focus is housing, its principles apply to many building types. Sprinkled throughout are boxes of key recommendations, and each chapter concludes with an exhaustive listing of legislation and guidance, as well as a bibliography. This sounds tiresome, but it's the ultimate sustainability checklist, wrought manageable by intelligent content and clever graphic design."

"What a handy book. In the twenty years I have spent editing Green Building magazine I have seen a lot published on the subject of sustainable building but this book has some of the most engaging and 'to-the-point' diagrams and tables that I have come across. These really make this pocket-sized book a useful addition for anyone interested in this subject."

"Having briefly skim-read it, I got in line to buy PTEa several copies. I can really recommend it as a comprehensive explanation with clear diagrams explaining the fundamentals of sustainability and its relevance to environmental building in the UK. There are excellent sections on environmental site planning, building fabric/detailing, water and flooding, and retrofit of existing housing stock."